Shin-etsu Trail

Section Introduction

Section05

Sekida Tōge pass – Nashidaira Tōge pass – Maki Tōge pass – Mt. Hanadate – Utsunomata Tōge pass – Busuno Tōge pass

Section length: 12.4 kilometers; Time required: approx. 6 hours

Section highlights

The beech trees here have curved trunks from the great weight of snow pressing on them in winter; it can feel like a competition straddling them and trying to pass over them. This is the habitat of the Forest Green Tree Frog and Japanese black salamander, as well as the native habitat of the rare nabekura zazensoui plant. When the weather is good, the sea of Japan and even distant Sado Island can be seen from Maki Tōge pass.

0.0km
12.4km
Sekida Tōge pass
  • 駐車場
Chaya Ike pond駐車場トイレ
Rest area on the shoreline
Green Pal Kōgen-so
Nukui Village (Iiyama City), Itakura-ku (Jōetsu City)
Green Pal Kōgen-soインフォメーション駐車場トイレ宿泊施設テント水
1.7km
10.7km
Nashidaira Tōge pass
Sugadaira Village, Kiyosato-ku, Jōetsu City
4.5km
7.9km
Maki Tōge pass
  • 駐車場
Fifteen minutes down on the Nagano side水
Nabekura Kōgen Mori no Ieビジターセンター駐車場トイレ宿泊施設
Maki-ku, Jōetsu City
Utsunomata Trailhead (Niigata side; may be in poor condition in some places)
6.2km
6.2km
Mt. Hanadate <1069m>
7.9km
4.5km
Utsunomata Tōge pass
Utsunomata trailhead (Nagano side)
Nabekura Kōgen Mori no Ieビジターセンター駐車場トイレ宿泊施設
9.3km
3.1km
Maboroshi no Ike pond
Pond with a circumference of about 300 meters, surrounded by natural beech forest
Enjoy the mountain scenery of Mt. Hishigatake
12.4km
0.0km
Busuno Tōge pass
  • 駐車場
Highway 495, a 10-minute walk on the Niigata side駐車場
Nabekura Kōgen Mori no Ieビジターセンター駐車場トイレ宿泊施設
Cupid Valley Center Houseビジターセンター駐車場トイレ宿泊施設

Key points

point1 Watch both your footing and clearance around your head in the areas of the bent beech trees.

point2 The stage between Maki Tōge pass and Busuno Tōge pass has many up and down sections and steep slopes; the slope on the Niigata side becomes steep cliffs.

point3 It is very likely that snow will remain on the Trail in this section until the end of June. Be sure to get the latest Trail information.

Milestones

Sekida Tōge pass

The starting point of Section 4 and 5, the elevation is roughly 1,000 meters, making it the highest pass on the Shin-etsu Trail. At a crossing on prefectural road 95, there is parking space for about five cars.

Nashidaira Tōge pass

The approach route on the Niigata side goes down toward Sugadaira and Kiyotaki in Jōetsu City. The Nagano side is undeveloped.

Maki Tōge pass

Parking space or about four cars is available just a short walk away on the Niigata side. It can be accessed from the Niigata side through the Maki ward of Jōetsu City, and from Tsuchikura district of Iiyama City on the Nagano side.

Mt. Hanatate

The midpoint between Maki Tōge pass and Utsunomata Tōge pass. The peak is 1,069 meters, and provides good views during the autumn colors. A cairn has been set up here memorializing Noriyoshi Kato, the man who laid down the foundation for the Shin-etsu Trail.

Utsunomata Tōge pass

Accessible from the Karayama district of Iiyama City on the Nagano side. The approach route is through a quiet beech forest and is free of obstacles.

Accommodations
  • Tent site
  • Accommodations

on the trail, within walking distance of the trail

  • Green Pal Kōgen-sō
  • Nabekura Kōgen Mori no Ie

off-trail accommodations

  • Miyama-sō
  • Togari Onsen

information on the trail and nearby facilities